Hi guys, I wanted to let any interested parties here know that we have developed a lighter alternative to the Paradox Evolution platform.

The Unaweep is bare bones. No excess, no extras, nothing that is not essential for core function. It does not offer detachable pack bags or a load shelf feature like the Evolution does, but because of that it is cheaper and lighter. The Unaweep is optimized to use a 26" frame which is a great size for general uses.

I appreciate all the feedback we have gotten from the good people on this forum. We have come a long way in a short amount of time, and it is in large part due to the comments and ideas of gear nuts and customers.

You guys probably make nice stuff, but it is really hard to tell from the images on the websites what designs are all about. The pics are tiny, the items are far away, and the angles don't really show anything interesting (straight profiles are the least informative angles for packs imo). I'm not trying to criticize, just offer a heads up on what this consumer would like to see before considering a purchase. Lots of large closeups and well-lit glam shots from many angles moves product.

The Talon is removable. Without the Talon the pack is about 2 lbs 8 oz.

Phillip, thanks for the input. We're working to upgrade media as time allows. You should be able to see a big improvement in pictures within the next month or two. We are aware that this is a weak point for us. We consciously choose to put resources into our gear instead of sharp marketing. Good gear will sell itself. Though good gear with good pictures will sell faster. :)

Only if people can tell it's good gear. Pictures that show your gear and illustrate how it stands out is not 'sharp marketing,' it's an important facet of customer service and you should look at it that way, IMO. After all, the landscape truly is littered with great ideas and great products that never caught on, so the idea that 'good gear will sell itself' is simply not often true.

The image that opens this thread is a good example of how not to announce a product, unless it is meant as a tease and you want to hide details because it's a prototype (or similar rationale).

The image is badly backlit, the pack is underexposed on most of the surfaces the viewer has access to, the pack occupies a fraction of the image area, and it generally does not convey anything about the product. I don't mean you need a studio lighting setup, but frame-filling images taken against a blank wall with indirect light (e.g., in the full shadow of a wall on a sunny day) will do a lot to visually convey the features you guys are trying to promote.

I'd love to know more about your packs as I have been looking for something along these lines (I also have a Kuiu Icon I have done MYOG mods to), but I have found this to be a bit frustrating.

Guys, thanks for the feedback. Among competing priorities of getting orders filled, packs built, and frames bent the media has taken a bit of a backseat. That will change in the next few weeks.

Phillip, the Unaweep photo is a bit of a teaser. That is a pic of the first makeup that Kevin was testing, and it was probably after he drug it along slickrock and then tumbled it down a slope to test the VX07 durability in comparison to VX21. So that particular pack was probably too dirty for up close glamour shots. More and better photos will be coming.

3) Have you thought of offering the standard base talon as an option? The standard talon is only 5 oz., so the increase in durability (with very little weight gain) over this mesh one seems worthwhile in an area so prone to abrasion.

4) It would be great if you could get a picture for us that shows the front of the pack rather than the sides, so that we can see this new talon.

Nathan,I purchased an Evolution 4800 pack in VX21, standard talon and lid with an ultralight frame back in February. Interestingly, it was shipped this week and should be waiting for me when I get home from work today.

I saw the Unaweep on your site and this site for the first time this morning and I am very interested in adding the Unaweep bag to my gear. Your site indicated that the Unaweep bag will fit on an existing Ultralite frame. Can you describe in more detail what comes off the frame setup and what stays on. Also would like to get pricing on the Unaweep bag by itself as there was no price on your site this morning....

One more question about fitting the Unaweep bag to an existing Evolution Ultralite frame set up. My frame is 24" with the 4" extensions. The Unaweep setup uses a 26" frame so how do you fit it to my set up?

Robert, the upper and lower encasement are (in essence) sewn to the bag with the Unaweep. You'd remove your frame (with belt attached) from the standard Evo and insert it into the Unaweep, then thread the harness on as well.

You could have a Unaweep made from either 24" or 28" frames. I think, but am not sure, that a Unaweep could be made which would work with both, naturally with a slight increase in weight.

A 3900 cubic inch Unaweep built around a 24" frame would be a great compliment to your standard rig for lighter trips. I've got a 21" torso, and the 24" frame height is good to go up to around 50 pounds.

If you guys send me a pack in the mail, I'll take really high-definition pictures of every part of it and send the bag right back to you, and e-mail you the shots for your use. I would probably take the pictures outside (so I might wait for a sunny day). It'll look really good on your site.

I've got a lot of posts here so it'd be really detrimental to me and my career, which is right over there under my name, if I were to steal the bag ;D

Bob, Dave already answered most of what you asked. The Unaweep will work on a 24 or 28 inch frame but is optimized for a 26. A set of 2" extensions is all you'll need to accomplish that. They will be offered soon along with the bag by itself.

I'll also add that Dave's load rating is accurate. I can carry 40-50 lbs on the 24 inch frame comfortably, but I do have to pay more attention to load placement and distribution than with a 28 inch frame.

We developed the 4800 ci Unaweep first because it is a great size for general use. Big enough for short winter or long summer trips, but it compresses very nicely and really doesn't feel too big.

Nathan thanks for answering my questions, but I now have 2 more comments/questions.

1)On your site, it looks like only the vx07 is being offered without a zipper. It would be nice if the heavier xpac like the vx21 was also made available without a zipper for those who want the abrasion resistance of vx21, but not the weight gain or just don't have a use for the side zipper.

2) It says on the paradox site: "Standard Frame Size: 26 inch, can be worn on 24 - 28 inch variations," . What does this mean? Does this just mean that you can order the Unaweep with a 24 or 28 inch frame in addition to the 28 inch frame? Also, I like the idea of 2 inch extensions that you mentioned on another site, which could make this a great load hauler at 26" and decent for scrambling in 24" configuration.